The meeting will gather Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers, and high-level dignitaries from AU member states, as well as representatives from Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs).
In his capacity as the chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), President Tinubu will present a report on the progress of regional integration within the ECOWAS bloc.
The report will highlight initiatives undertaken by ECOWAS institutions, member states, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and peace, security, and stability.
The 5th MYCM aligns with the AU's theme for 2023, which focuses on accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The meeting will bring together the bureau of the AU assembly, consisting of Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, Senegal, and leaders from the eight RECs.
These regional economic communities include ECOWAS, East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN SAD), Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
The meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs, providing a platform for discussions on the progress and challenges in implementing the AfCFTA. President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials, and upon the conclusion of the meeting, he is expected to return to Nigeria.
(NAN)